Environmental Responsibility

Following closely on the heals of Earth Day, 2009, I attended the Living Green Expo today, which is a significant and well organized "green-living" and environmental responsibility expo in St. Paul, Minnesota. Although this is a slight diversion from bicycles generally and fixed gear bikes specifically, there is a clear parallel between bikes and environmental responsibility.

Since there is a likely overlap between those who ride fixed gear and those who want the environment to be around for the next few generations, I've decided to throw a post on FixedRiders.com to support the environmental responsibility and advocacy effort.

If you have any interest in reducing your carbon footrprint and leaving fewer marks on the world around you, try to extend your interest in fixed gear bikes another step forward toward a sustainable environment.

One blog/site focused on environmental responsibility and green living ideas is Green52.org. Green52.org has just completed 52 weeks of green tips, with 52 unique articles about green living and environmental responsibility. If any of your fixed gear friends are interested in the environmental responsibility cause, tell them about Green52.org.

Better yet, turn off your computer, stop powering all the other electricity consuming devices in your home, and get out and ride! FixedRiders.com encourages you to enjoy the spring season by reconnecting with everything that makes bike riding memorable from your childhood -- the freedom of having your own mode of transportation, with the ability to determine where you want to go and how fast you want to get there.

Fixed gear bikes are the grown-up version of a "big wheel" (images of brightly colored trike-style kid mobile should be appearing) from days gone by. It doesn't get much better -- and the fact that you can use your fixie to go where your car might otherwise take you is a significant environmental plus.

Spring at last! Fixed gear riding season begins.

Well, in Minnesota winter is long, and cold. This year was no exception. Although I saw a few fixies running through the winter, mine was in the garage. Cars don't pay enough attention to bikes in the warm months, and when the road conditions are worse because of ice and snow, riding a bike on the roads becomes an even more daunting task.

So, the big sign of spring for me is getting the bike out and ready for a season of action. That began for this fixed-gear rider two weeks ago with a quick run to get the dust off. Today, I made my first fixed gear bike commute to work for the season. Once again I was reminded how liberating and significant something as simple as a bike ride to work can be.

This season, I hope FixedRiders.com grows as a forum for fixed gear enthusiasts, custom builders, or those simply looking for more information to contribute ideas, share their enthusiasm for the sport, show off their fixed gear bikes in our photo gallery, or post their fixed gear riding events, products, and more.

Whether you use your fixed gear bike to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment, you use it to train or for fitness, or you simply like having a simple and no-nonsense commuter or hobby bike, fixed gear riding is an experience you have to be part of, to appreciate. FixedRiders.com is your community to offer tips, thoughts, information, ideas and more. Please leave a comment on this site.

FixedRiders.com is a forum and community for those who have already learned about, or are interested in, what makes a fixed gear bike riding experience different, and better, than simply riding a geared bike. Enjoy the biking season everyone -- happy spring!!